Today, the Secretary’s International Security Advisory Board (ISAB) released its study, “Report on Deterrence in a World of Nuclear Multipolarity.” The report fulfills the request from Ambassador Bonnie D. Jenkins, the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, to undertake a study on how to use the mutually reinforcing tools of deterrence and arms control to address the challenges of two future nuclear-armed strategic peers – Russia and the PRC. The recommendations, developed by a study group consisting of a subset of board members, was approved during the Board’s October 31, 2023, plenary meeting.
The ISAB provides the Department with a continuing source of independent insight, advice, and innovation on all aspects of arms control, disarmament, nonproliferation, outer space, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, the national security aspects of emerging technologies, international security, and related aspects of public diplomacy. The Board is sponsored and overseen by the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security and provides its recommendations to the Secretary through the Under Secretary. The ISAB is established in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. 1001 et seq., and the study was conducted in accordance with FACA.